Country propels digital progress, innovation push

China has seen rapid development in its digital economy and innovation sector, which serves as a new growth engine for the country's economic and social development.

A report released by the China Internet Network Information Center on Wednesday said the country had 772 million netizens by the end of December 2017 - 40.74 million more than the number in the previous year.

"China is accelerating its pace in transforming from a country with an extensive cyber presence ... to a cyber powerhouse. The IT infrastructure has achieved substantial improvement," said Zeng Yu, deputy director of digital economy bureau of the Cyberspace Administration of China.